scope magnification for 22-250

I have been wondering what would be the proper magnification scope for a rifle like this.

I have been thinking 4-14.

it will be for paper punching, but also for predator and varmint hunting, so I am worried about over magnification at close range with a higher powered scope, as under 100 yard shots are certainly possible.

I'm sure someone has experience with this they can share.

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ColtPythonElite

March 12, 2011, 11:51 PM

I have on that has worn a 4 x 16 for nearly 20 years. It works good.

Moose1995

March 12, 2011, 11:57 PM

I shot a Ruger varmint rifle for years in that caliber. I had a redfield golden 5 star scope on it. It was a 6-18x 40. I only shot paper with it, at 100 and mostly 200 yards. With the 6x mag, it was crystal clear from 20 yards out. I would try to go with something in a 6-24x. Because there were plenty of times I wanted more. That caliber can reach out pretty far, and those little 22 caliber holes start to get hard to see beyond 200. Great round. I re-loaded with strictly nosler 50 grn ballistic tips, and shot 1/2 moa at 200 all day long. Go with more then the 4-14x. Trust me. On another note, if money is an issue, go with a bushnell elite 4200. Can't be beat for the money.

snake284

March 13, 2011, 04:09 AM

I just bought a Nikon Buckmaster Side Focus 6-18X40 with BDC reticle. BTW I recommend the BDC reticle. It only costs about $10-$15 more. It is super clear and at 18 power you can see the mites on a deer's back nearly. I put it on my new Stevens Model 200 .223 Remington. But I have a Remington 700 ADL Synthetic in 22-250 that wears a Leupold VX-1 4-12X40. I"m thinking about swapping those scopes. I think it would make more sense to have the more powerful scope on the .22-250. They are both OK Scopes and both are plenty clear for what I do with them.

The 4.5-14x40 would be good on your 22-250 I think. I have a Leupold Side Focus 4.5-14X56MM 30mm Tube VX-3L ordered to put on a build that is in progress. I took one of my Yugo Mauser barreled actions to my gun smith in Refugio Texas and he's bending the bolt, drilliing and tapping the receiver for scope mounts, installing a Timney Sporter trigger and a Model 70 Win. style 3 position swing safety and a Shilen 27 inch SS .257 Cal. barrel and reaming the chamber to .257 Roberts Ackly Improved. The bluing on the receiver is still excellent and I'm going to DuraCoat the Barrel in satin black. I will bed it in a Boyd's Pepper Laminant Classic Stock. This will be my third build as I have an old Obendorf 98 large ring Mauser action with a 26 inch ER Shaw heavy sporter Chrome Moly 7mm barrel reamed to 280 Remington with a Timney Trigger and two position safety. It also has a Leupold VX -1 3-9X40 Scope in Leupold Redfield style mounts on it. I have worked up two loads for this, one is a 140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip over 57 grains IMR 4831 and the other is a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip over 56 grains IMR 4831 that goes through my Chrony at about 2990-3010 FPS MV.

I also have a Howa 1500 action with a Krieger heavy Sporter SS 25.5 inch .250 caliber barrel with the chamber reamed to .250 Savage. It sits in the original Howa stock and is bedded in and the original Howa trigger has been reworked by my gunsmith and lightened down to about 1.5-2 pounds. It has a Leupold 3-9X40 Vari-X II scope (Which is really the same as the newer VX-1s) on it in silver to match the SS barrel. It is throated out to accept 117 and 120 grain bullets without crowding the powder capacity. I worked up a load of a Hornady 117 Grain Spire Point bullet over 39.5 grains of IMR 4831 at 2700 FPS. But I'm still working that load up. I forsee it getting to 40.5-41 grains of powder before it tops out and close if not over 2800 FPS, which is a very potent load for the little .250 Savage.

Though I love these builds, I still love my 22-250 more than ever. It's hot, it's accurate, there's hardly any recoil, and it will kill Texas white tail deer bang flop DRT. I think it will be even better with the 6-18x40 Buckmaster scope on it.

BigN

March 13, 2011, 07:03 AM

If you're set on a 14x, don't waste your money on the 22-250, get a 22 mag. 22-250 is a superior long-range caliber, get a long range scope for it. I see people who get these small, hot centerfires and severely limit the rifle by putting an inferior scope on it. IMNSHO, 18x minimum, 24x even better. Don't treat that caliber like that, it just ain't right :-)

NOLAEMT

March 13, 2011, 07:55 AM

thanks for the info.

I'm not really set on anything. This will be my first rifle like this and frankly, other than knowing that I want one, I am pretty new to this.

BigN

March 13, 2011, 09:01 AM

Knowing that you want one is half the battle and most of the fun. Go for it and worry about the scope later. Good luck with a great gun!

joed

March 13, 2011, 09:22 AM

The smallest scope I use on any of my varmint/target rifles is a 6x18. Most of my rifles have fixed power 24x scopes. The 18x is about the minimum I would want.

451 Detonics

March 13, 2011, 09:43 AM

I run an older Weaver T-10 on my coyote gun, a Remington 700 in 22 CHeetah, has worked fine for the past 30 years and 1500 coyotes. I dislike variables but that is just a personal quirk. You have to take in account your average range and use that as a basis for choosing. I would think a 6X18 would work for most ranges with a 22-250.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z271/reloader1959/rifles/chee4.jpg

Al Thompson

March 13, 2011, 10:23 AM

Had two Leupold scopes - 4x14 and a 6.5x20 (? IIRC). Mounted both and stuck with the 4x14. IMHO, for around here, the 20 power was too much scope. If prairie dogs or woodchucks are on the menu, then I'd listen to those folks who have experience with them as I do not. :)

ole farmerbuck

March 13, 2011, 10:30 AM

I have a Nikon 6x24 on one 22-250 and a Nikon 5x20 on the other. P-dogs dont like either of them:) but i like em both.

TIMC

March 13, 2011, 10:46 AM

I have a Leupold VX LR 3 6.5-20x40mm LR scope on my Remington VLS in 22-250. The scope is perfect for the rifle.

BrocLuno

March 13, 2011, 11:10 AM

I've tried everything from 3~9x40 to 6~24x50 on my 22-250. I was running a 4~16x44. It really depends on two things: a) How small the target is? b) How much early/late shooting you'll do? Either requires scope performance that costs.

Shooting small rabbits in the desert at 300 yds will strain a scope because they are almost the same color as the background and as you dial up the magnification, the mirage/heat waves will overcome the target at almost any time of day except first light (when they are mostly out). At first light you need more light and absolute clarity so good lens coatings and 44mm (or bigger) objective is very helpful. BUT, making accurate hits also means good cheek weld so scope needs to fit your face/stock with a natural fit.

I'd worry more about the glass and coatings than the magnification range. Unless conditions are very good (cool, calm, overcast) - anything over 18 is tough to use. Also the crosshair has a lot to do with it. Close-in hunting I want a Duplex. Out there with a 22-250 I want fine wire with dot. The hair can cover too much target when things get small.

Right now it's wearing a Weaver steel tube. I could live with a 12X fixed if I had to. But, I'll keep swapping stuff around like I always do. My next scope for this rifle will likely be nice used Leupold 6.5~20x50 long range target. I could maybe get the same performance in a Nikon or other scope (I own Nikons on other rifles), but this time I'm going to try a Leuplold.

Go to a big shop with choices and take a few out to the parking lot and look through them - you will see what looks good to you :)

Art Eatman

March 13, 2011, 11:54 AM

I have found that 7X and 9X work okay on prairie dogs to 300 yards, but they "get kinda small" at 400. The 4x14 seems righteous for 500-yard shots and wouldn't be too small a field of view for the closer stuff.

Messing around on my 500-yard range, I found that 10X is adequate for good groups, but likely wouldn't be my choice for critters smaller than coyotes or maybe jackrabbits. Known distance isn't the same as field guesstimation. :)

Justin Holder

March 13, 2011, 12:05 PM

I have a Weaver 6-20x40 on my .22-250rem., I really have no need for the top end power it provides, I have only ever used up to about 16x in hunting situations with it. The low end of 6x is no problem for close shots, I have taken coyotes within 30 yards before, but if I could buy it over again I would have bought the 4.5-14x40 model instead.

Durty

March 13, 2011, 05:25 PM

I have a Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 on my Rem 700 VLS 22-250 and itīs more than enough scope. I would not change it. I shot a crow out of a tree at 278 yards with it back in January and I shot a 2.45 inch group at 400 yards with it about 6 weeks ago. The clarity and magnification of that particular scope combined with Sierra 52s and 37.5 grains of IMR4064 out of that Remmy is one hell of a setup.

lightman

March 13, 2011, 07:32 PM

I have a Nightforce 5.5x22 on mine,and a Leupold 6.5x20 on another.Your choice of 4.5x14 should be fine. Lightman

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